Welcome to the
Madras Fabric website. This textile guide has been designed to help
members of the textile industry and fashion industry learn more about Madras Fabric.

Madras is a lightweight cotton fabric with typically
patterned texture and plaid design, used primarily for summer clothing such
as pants, shirts, shorts, dresses, etc. The fabric takes its name from the
former English name of the city of Chennai, India. This cloth also was
identified by the colloquial name, "Madrasi checks."

Our website will guide you to many resources that are
relevant to Madras Fabric. Please utilize the directory below to begin your
education.

A popular form of madras is called
Patchwork Madras. A Patchwork or "pieced work" is a form of
needlework that involves sewing together pieces of fabric into a
larger design. The larger design is usually based on repeat
patterns built up with different colored shapes. These shapes
are carefully measured and cut, straight-sided, basic geometric
shapes making them easy to piece together. Precise joining makes
for patchwork that lies flat without puckering. There are three
traditional structures used to construct a patchwork or pieced
composition